Role objective:
The Clerk to the Council will be the Proper Officer of the Council and as such is under a statutory duty to carry out all the functions, and in particular, to serve or issue all the notifications required by law of a local authority's Proper Officer. The Clerk will be totally responsible for ensuring that the instructions of the Council in connection with its function as a Parish Council are carried out. The Clerk is expected to advise the Council on, and assist in the formation of, overall policies to be followed in respect of the Council's activities and in particular, to produce all the information required for making effective decisions and to implement all decisions constructively.
The person appointed will be accountable to the Council for the effective management of all its resources and will report to them as and when required. The Clerk will be the Responsible Financial Officer and responsible for all the financial needs of the Council and the careful administration of its finances in accordance with the Financial Regulations of the Council.Objectives & Specific Duties
To prepare and issue agendas, minutes and supporting documentation to councillors, district councillors and members of the public by means of e-mail, notice boards and the council website.
To ensure that legal, statutory and other provisions governing or affecting the running of the Council are observed.
To ensure that the Council’s obligations to insure are properly met.
To receive correspondence and documents on behalf of the Council and to deal with the correspondence or documents or bring such items to the attention of the Council. To issue correspondence as a result of the instructions of, or the known policy of, the Council.
To study reports and other data on activities of the Council and on matters bearing on those activities. Where appropriate, to discuss such matters with administrators and specialists in particular fields.
To draw up both on their own initiative and as a result of suggestions by Councillors proposals for consideration by the Council and to advise on practicability and the likely effects of specific courses of action.
To monitor the implemented policies of the Council to ensure they are achieving the desired result, and where appropriate, suggest modifications.
To act as a representative of the Council as required.
To prepare, in consultation with the Chairman, press releases about the activities of, or the decisions of, the Council.
Keeping of the Burial Register, Register of Grave spaces, providing a professional service to Funeral Directors and members of the public.
To carry out all the functions required by law of the Council’s Responsible Financial Officer under section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972 for all financial matters and records of the Council.
Acting as the Council’s principal adviser on financial matters, and to be responsible for the careful administration of the Council’s finances, and the proper application and maintenance of the Council’s Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.
Advising the Council and its Committees on and preparing the annual budget estimates of income and expenditure for revenue services, the capital budget programme and annual Precept requirements.
Monitoring and ensuring that the Council’s accounts are controlled, and the Council informed of the ongoing financial situation.
Ensuring that all management reports are reported to the Council, and the statutory internal and external audit requirements are undertaken and completed each year, and any consequential action is taken.
Deal with any faults and issues concerning street lighting, foliage, signage, potholes, fly tipping, vermin and recycling.
Liaise with other Local Authorities, Councillors, Contractors and members of the public when required.
To manage the parish council employees and contractors.
General administration, including but not limited to taking phone calls, dealing with enquiries, opening mail and acting on their contents as appropriate, ordering of stationery and equipment.
LOCATION: This position will be hybrid, requiring a minimum of 1 day a week in Stokenchurch Parish Council office (Longburrow Hall) to work in conjunction with other staff members.
Enquiry:
If you are interested in applying for the role or would like to receive a full job description of duties, please contact the clerk.
P Mendy
